Blackout hospital 'would not pay to fix back-up generators'

A London hospital was today accused of "cutting corners" after a power cut forced it to close its A&E department.

Patients were trapped in lifts for up to an hour because of the power failure at the Royal Free in Hampstead. It has emerged that faulty valves in the backup generators were not changed despite engineers raising concerns.

The hospital cancelled about 1,000 outpatient appointment and 50 elective operations after the power failed at 9am yesterday. Ambulances were diverted until about 3.30pm. Patient appointments are now being re-scheduled.

A power failure before Christmas led to 65 operations being cancelled.

A source at the hospital said two backup generators failed yesterday and that managers had refused to replace crucial parts because of the £44,000 cost. The source said: "The power failed because a senior engineer touched the wrong button. He made a mistake. By touching that button the generators kicked in but the power was lost within half an hour because two of the three generators failed. The reason they failed was because they overheated.

"[The engineers] asked management to change the old valves on the cooling system - they said they don't have the money. But now suddenly they're going to be changed within the week. It's negligence."

The Royal Free confirmed the valves were due for replacement but added: "Cost has never been an issue, rather the need to procure replacement equipment and to finalise the complex logistical planning around the installation work which involves bringing temporary generators on to the hospital site." It said £1.2 million had been earmarked for improving the power system. The one generator that continued to operate yesterday "ensured that key clinical areas were unaffected".

Geoff Martin, chairman of pressure group London Health Emergency, said: "Either there are serious failings at a management level or they are cutting corners."